Oakdale man arrested after brawling with NL police

New London — Police arrested an Oakdale man on drug and assault charges early this morning after they say he fought with police and tried to grab their handguns.

Just before 1 a.m. police stopped a vehicle driven by James Floyd Jr., 43, of 161 Connecticut Ave., on Williams Street near Garfield Avenue.

Police said that after Floyd got out of his vehicle to retrieve documents from the trunk, police searched him and found narcotics hidden inside his coat.

He then began to violently struggle with officers and at several points attempted to grab their service weapons from their holsters. Floyd then fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit officers were able to catch up to Floyd, who again began to struggle with officers who were able to finally subdue and arrest him after what police called an intense struggle.

Police said Floyd had 33 grams of cocaine packaged for sale and 26 assorted prescription pills. He also $1,327 in cash which police believe to be proceeds from his narcotics sales.

Floyd and two of the arresting officers were brought to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital where they were treated and released for injuries.

Floyd was charged with three counts of assault on a police officer, interfering with a police officer, two counts of possession of narcotics, two counts of possession of narcotics with intent to sell and three counts of illegal sale of prescription drugs. He was arraigned in New London Superior Court today.

Floyd has two previous convictions for sale of narcotics and was sentenced to three years of probation.